The Houston Texans could have the best defense in football this season.
But I think the ceiling is even higher than that.
This defense has a legitimate chance to be historic.
Houston was already dominant last season, finishing No. 1 in total defense at 277.2 yards allowed per game and No. 2 in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game.
And somehow, this group might be even better.
It starts up front with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, arguably the most terrifying pass-rushing duo in football. They combined for 27 sacks last season and can completely wreck an offense without Houston needing to blitz.
Then there’s Azeez Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair is the tone-setter in the middle of this defense. He’s physical, aggressive and gives DeMeco Ryans exactly the type of linebacker he wants running the defense.
And the secondary might be even scarier.
Derek Stingley Jr. has developed into one of the NFL’s premier shutdown corners. Kamari Lassiter gives Houston another extremely talented corner opposite him, while Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock make the Texans incredibly difficult to attack downfield.
That’s elite talent at all three levels.
And with DeMeco Ryans running everything, Houston has the coaching to maximize it.
The Texans don’t need to become an elite defense.
They already are one.
Now the question is whether this group can become something even bigger.
If Houston stays healthy, we could be talking about this Texans defense for a very long time.
